How bad did I drop the ball?

Seems that's what everyone thinks I should do. Bad part is, I'm three states away, and the car's sitting w/ the front end dismantled in the back of his shop. Luckily, he's got plenty of other work keeping him busy while he's not working on my car. I asked what I owed him thus far, he had no idea...he hadn't even figured it up yet. I guess this is one of those expensive life lessons. Plus, I don't know of a mechanic in the area who'd know about mopar suspensions.